NEWS/BLOG

JCH Closure of OB Services

After careful consideration, it is with sincere regret that we announce that the Jellico Community Hospital Board of Directors with counsel from Community Hospital Corporation, arrived at the difficult decision to close OB services. The decision was made during its November 20, 2018 Board meeting. OB closure is planned for midnight December 9, 2018.

Keeping a labor and delivery unit operating is harder for rural hospitals like ours and reimbursement cuts are posing a strain. Medicaid is our major payer for deliveries and newborn care, but Tennessee did not expand Medicaid and we are not able to subsidize this program on our own.

We did not take this decision lightly but it is necessary for the greater good of our hospital. We empathize with the expectant mothers in our community who were planning to give birth here at Jellico in the coming months. We will work with local physicians to provide the continuation of their care with other providers.

On behalf of Jellico Community Hospital team, thank you for your continued support.